Sheriff: Residents hid pot plants as structure burned

CARROLLTON Firefighters had no choice but to let a fire at a two-story house burn itself out Tuesday afternoon due to dangerous conditions, including ammunition going off inside the home as flames reached it.

By Nancy SchaarTimes-Reporter Correspondent

The Repository

By Nancy SchaarTimes-Reporter Correspondent

Posted Oct. 30, 2013 at 8:21 AM

By Nancy SchaarTimes-Reporter Correspondent

Posted Oct. 30, 2013 at 8:21 AM

CARROLLTON Firefighters had no choice but to let a fire at a two-story house burn itself out Tuesday afternoon due to dangerous conditions, including ammunition going off inside the home as flames reached it.

"We poured water on it, but it was just too far gone, and the floors started collapsing," Carrollton Village Volunteer Fire Chief Tom Mesler said. "It's just too unsafe and too dangerous to let the firefighters in any further."

Carroll County Sheriff Dale Williams said the house was fully engulfed when he and two of his detective units were first to arrive on the scene, and he and his detectives found the home's resident and another individual carrying marijuana plants out of the house and hiding them in the weeds nearby. Williams said many of the plants were very large, and it appears they may have been throughout the house.

The fire call came to Carroll County's Sheriff Dispatch 911 at 2:05 p.m. At 5 p.m., the house still was fully engulfed, and firefighters remained on the scene throughout the evening. A large plume of black smoke could be seen from Carrollton almost four hours after the fire began.

The house, at 3049 Salineville Road, was being rented by Ray Arkenbaugh and Mesler said it appears the fire started in a wood-burner.

The house was owned by Melvin Lee, Sr., and was not insured, according to the fire report.

Mesler said the house was full of debris.

"There is just too much stuff in there, stuff in black bags, we don't know what is in there. It's piled high and it's just too dangerous," said Mesler.

When firefighters arrived, they were able to help Arkenbaugh retrieve a safe and several weapons from the house. The ammunition was not retrieved and as the fire reached the ammunition, sharp cracks could be heard as they went off.

Other departments at the scene that assisted were Fox, Augusta, and Carroll County Volunteer Fire Departments.

Williams said charges are pending against Arkenbaugh after the marijuana is dried, weighed, and further evidence is evaluated. Many of the marijuana plants burned in the fire, according to Williams.